Anti-US Protest over Jerusalem rocks Kashmir

After US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, the Anti-US protests has rocked Kashmir.

Protesters staged a march after the Friday prayers in uptown Maisuma locality of Srinagar and other places including Hasanabad area of the city shouting slogans against Trump. The protesters also burnt his effigies.

Trump on Wednesday formally recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in the face of international criticism while asserting that he was “not taking a position of any final status” of the ancient city that is also claimed by Palestine.

In Maisuma area, protests were staged by the activists of the pro-Azadi Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) which demanded immediate revocation of the US decision on Jerusalem.

In south and north Kashmir areas also, people gathered outside the mosques after the day’s congregational prayers to protest the US decision. Separatists had called for post Friday prayer protests in the Kashmir Valley over the decision. As a precautionary measure, the authorities had imposed restrictions in the old city areas of Nowhatta, M.R. Gunj and Safa Kadal.

Heavy deployment of police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were made at sensitive places in Srinagar and all district headquarters in the Kashmir Valley.

No congregational prayers were allowed by the authorities inside the historic Jamia Masjid.

Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, who delivers the traditional Friday sermon at the Jamia Masjid, had been placed under house arrest in his Nigeen residence.